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DAN BYLSMA NAMED ASSISTANT COACH

by
Staff Writer
/ New York Islanders

Nine-Season NHL Veteran Added to Bench

The Islanders have named recent veteran NHL forward Dan Bylsma as an assistant coach. He joins Brad Shaw on Steve Stirling's coaching staff, with the third and final member of the coaching staff to be added next week. Bylsma was Shaw's assistant coach with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL last season.

"I know it seems we have a bit of a Cincinnati connection going on, and that's fine with me because Dan is another great addition to our staff," said Stirling. "I'm very impressed by his work ethic, positive attitude and ability to teach."

The 35-year old Bylsma retired from the NHL following the 2003-04 season and joined Shaw the next year in Cincinnati. In 429 regular-season NHL games from 1995-2003 with Los Angeles and Anaheim, Bylsma recorded 19 goals and 43 assists for 62 points. He appeared in 16 playoff games and recorded an assist in Anaheim's Stanley Cup run in the spring of 2003.

Bylsma made his NHL debut in the 1995-96 season with Los Angeles and remained there through 1999-00. He joined Anaheim the following season. As a member of the Kings, Bylsma was a teammate of current Islander Jason Blake for two seasons.

Known as a penalty-killing specialist in the NHL, Bylsma was originally drafted by Winnipeg in the sixth round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to that, he played four seasons at Bowling Green State University from 1988-89 to 1991-92 before beginning his professional career.